John 12 15

John 12:15 kjv

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

John 12:15 nkjv

"Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt."

John 12:15 niv

"Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

John 12:15 esv

"Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!"

John 12:15 nlt

"Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey's colt."

John 12 verses

John 12 15 Meaning

John 12:15 directly quotes and applies a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, revealing Jesus' identity as the long-awaited King of Israel. It declares to the covenant people, personified as "Daughter of Zion," not to fear, as their true sovereign is arriving. The manner of His arrival, "sitting on an ass's colt," profoundly emphasizes humility, peace, and the spiritual nature of His kingship, contrasting sharply with worldly expectations of a conquering, militarily powerful messiah. This verse marks the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, fulfilling ancient promises in an unexpected, yet divinely appointed, way.

John 12 15 Context

John 12:15 is situated within the narrative of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, specifically following His arrival from Bethany. The events immediately preceding this include the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11), which caused a stir among the Jewish authorities and increased Jesus' popularity, drawing large crowds to Him. Just before the entry, Mary anoints Jesus' feet, foreshadowing His burial.

On the next day, a "great crowd" (v.12), hearing Jesus was coming, took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" (v.13). This acclamation already identifies Jesus as the expected Messiah-King. John 12:15 explains why Jesus chose to ride a specific animal—an ass's colt—directly referencing Old Testament prophecy. The historical and cultural context involves the approaching Passover feast, which drew thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem, magnifying the impact of Jesus' entry. Jewish messianic expectations were diverse, but many hoped for a political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule, much like the Maccabees. Jesus, by choosing a humble colt, offered a clear polemic against this prevailing political-military messianic understanding, presenting Himself instead as a King of peace and humility, in line with the prophecies.

John 12 15 Word analysis

• Fear not (Μὴ φοβοῦ - Mē phobou): This is a strong Greek negative imperative, expressing a divine command. It signifies an injunction against terror or anxiety, providing reassurance and peace. In biblical usage, "fear not" is often associated with theophany or significant divine revelation, particularly when God is about to perform a great work (e.g., Exod 14:13; Isa 41:10; Luke 1:30). Here, it prepares "Daughter of Zion" for a profound, non-threatening encounter with her King.
• daughter of Zion (θύγατερ Σιών - thugater Siōn): A poetic and personified epithet for the city of Jerusalem and, by extension, its inhabitants, representing the collective people of Israel. This designation often evokes tenderness, intimacy, and the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people (e.g., Isa 1:8, Zep 3:14). It refers to God's chosen community. The address highlights that the message is for all who belong to God's people.
• behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): A Greek interjection meaning "look!" or "see!" It serves as an attention-getter, signaling the imminent revelation of a significant event or person. It directs the audience to pay close attention to the unfolding of a divine plan or a fulfilled prophecy.
• thy King (ὁ βασιλεύς σου - ho basileus sou): "Thy King" unequivocally identifies Jesus as Israel's sovereign. Basileus (King) in this context refers to the divinely appointed, prophesied ruler of Israel, the Messiah. The possessive "thy" (σου) personalizes this claim, emphasizing His direct relationship and rule over the Daughter of Zion. This term directly confronts expectations of Roman or Herod's authority.
• cometh (ἔρχεται - erchetai): The present tense "cometh" (or "is coming") emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of the King's arrival. It indicates that the prophetic promise is not merely a future hope but is actively being fulfilled in the present moment, witnessed by the crowds.
• sitting (ἐπικεκαθικώς - epikekathikōs): This perfect active participle, meaning "having sat down" or "being seated upon," describes the posture of the King. It portrays a tranquil, deliberate, and authoritative entry, not a charge or aggressive advance. This specific manner of coming is crucial for understanding the King's nature.
• on an ass's colt (ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου - epi pōlon onou): This phrase refers to a young donkey, specifically a colt. In the ancient Near East, kings or leaders riding donkeys typically symbolized peace and humility, as warhorses were used for battle and royal processions of conquest. King Solomon, for instance, rode on a mule for his enthronement (1 Kgs 1:38-40). The explicit choice of a young donkey underscores the prophetic fulfillment from Zech 9:9 and subtly communicates the non-militant, peaceful nature of Jesus' kingship. It speaks of accessibility, a gentle leader rather than a fearsome warrior.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Fear not, daughter of Zion": This opening establishes a tone of divine assurance and intimate care. The instruction to "fear not" addresses any apprehension, while "Daughter of Zion" tenderly designates the target audience—the covenant community of Israel. This phrasing prepares them to receive their King with peace rather than trepidation.
• "behold, thy King cometh": This phrase dramatically announces the pivotal event. "Behold" commands immediate attention to the coming King, affirming Jesus' identity not just as a prophet or healer, but as Israel's prophesied ruler. The "coming" is presented as a present reality, an act of divine appointment taking place.
• "sitting on an ass's colt": This specific detail describes the humble, non-military manner of the King's arrival. It directly fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, emphasizing that this King is a harbinger of peace, not conquest, and His power lies in servanthood rather than worldly display. It subtly corrects prevailing political messianic expectations.

John 12 15 Bonus section

The significance of Jesus' entry on a colt was initially lost on the disciples. John 12:16 states, "His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done these things to him." This highlights the retrospective understanding that often accompanies prophetic fulfillment, with spiritual insights clarifying only after the broader divine plan has unfolded through Christ's resurrection and ascension (His "glorification").

This entry is also a crucial element in John's presentation of Jesus as "King" throughout his Gospel, which culminates in Pilate's question "Are you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33) and the inscription "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" on the cross (John 19:19). The scene sets the stage for the dramatic tension between the crowds' earthly desire for a king who would deliver them from Rome and Jesus' spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries. The crowd's joyous acclamation, based on seeing Lazarus resurrected, was based on an earthly interpretation of a king, foreshadowing their later rejection when Jesus did not conform to their political hopes.

John 12 15 Commentary

John 12:15 serves as a theological lens through which to understand the pivotal Triumphal Entry. It directly quotes Zechariah 9:9, explicitly identifying Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as the fulfillment of ancient prophecy regarding the Messiah-King. The divine injunction, "Fear not," signals God's sovereign hand at work and offers comfort to a people often facing anxiety about their national destiny. The epithet "Daughter of Zion" underscores the covenant relationship and intimacy.

The central declaration, "thy King cometh," reveals Jesus' true identity, challenging both the Roman occupiers and the limited, earthly expectations of many Jews. His arrival on "an ass's colt" is deliberately subversive. While contemporary rulers rode warhorses to display power and conquer, Jesus' choice symbolized peace, humility, and justice (cf. Zech 9:10). This demonstrated a kingship founded not on military might or political dominion, but on divine authority and sacrificial love. He arrived as a king accessible to all, offering salvation and spiritual deliverance rather than earthly liberation. The event reveals Jesus' conscious acceptance of His messianic role, yet defines it against popular misunderstanding, prefiguring the deeper significance of His passion.